Switch assemblage



Feb. 22, 1938. w. c. FURNAS ET A1.

SWITCH ASSEMBLAGE Filed July 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR5 BY d.

ATTORNEYS Feb. 22, 1938. w. c. FuRNAs ET AL 2,108,883

SWITCH ASSEMBLAGE Filed July l2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I "1. -Y v ZU C G7 INVENTOR5 BY sa. @7 MQW ATTORNEY Patented Fb.22,193s l.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l2,108,381 v swl'rcn ASSEMBLAGE pany Application July 12, 1937, ySerial No. 153,152

3 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to improvements in the art of manufacturing electrical control mechanisms, and relates more specilically to improvements inthe construction and operation of switch assemblages and to housings for enclosing such assemblages.

Generally dened, an object of our invention is to provide an improved switch assemblage which is simple and compact in construction, and which is also highly eiiicient and well protected when in use.

It is frequently desirable when utilizing electrical control mechanisms in moist and 4mussy places such as garages and lling stations, to have these devices well protected by water-proof housings, while at the same time permitting convenient access to the mechanisms for inspection purposes. It is also desirable to have these mechanisms or assemblages durably constructed so as to require minimum attention and to effectively resist excessive wear due to frequent'operation.- In order to minimize the cost of production of such devices it is moreover desirable to be able to construct the parts from sheet material with the aid of punches and dies, and the parts thus produced should be formed for ready assemblage into the completed structures. None of the prior switch mechanisms heretofore provided especially for automobile hoist control service, have met all of these requirements and could not -therefore effectively withstand the severe service and abuse to which they were sub-4 jected.

Our present invention therefore more specifically contemplates the provision of improved switch mechanism which effectively meets all of the above mentioned requirements, and which is highly eilicient in operation.

A more specific object of our invention is to provide improved moisture and dust proof housing structure for electrical devices such as switches, whichwill however permit most convenient access to the normally concealed mechanisms.

Another specic object of the invention is the provision of an improved switch spindle and movable contact assemblage which is durable in construction and which may be readily manufactured and assembled.'

A further` specific object .of our invention is the provision of an improved support for the normally'iixed contacts of a switch assemblage,

' and a new` mode of mounting such supports in the frame structure of the switch.

An additional speclc object of .our invention (Cl. 20o-168) is to provide a new and useful controller for electrical apparatus, which may be manufactured and sold at moderate cost and which is extremely durable and presents a neat appearance.

The above and other specic objects of our invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clar conception of embodiments of the several features constituting the present improvement, and of the mode of constructing and of operating switch assemblages built in accordance lwith our invention, may be' had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section through vone of our improved switch assemblages with the closure cover in place and showing the switch in normal open position;

Fig. 2 is a partially dismantled end view of the switch assemblage, showing the enclosing cover released and partially removed from the switch frame;

Fig. '3 is a transverse vertical section through the switch assemblage, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing the switch mechanism in open position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section similar to that of Fig. 3 but showing the switch mechanism in closed position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal horizontal section through the switch assemblage showing one of the fixed contact supports in the act of initial assembly thereof;

Fig. 6 is a similar sectional view showing a subsequent step in the assembly of the fixed contact support; and Fig. 7 is a complete longitudinal horizontal section through the switch assemblage taken along the line 1-1 of Fig, 1, and showing the fixed contact supports fully assembled.

While our invention has been shown herein as having been embodied in a particular type of switch mechanism especially adapted to control automobile lifts, it is not our intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope; and while certain sections have been referred to as having been taken along vertical and horizontal lines, it will be obvious that the switch assemblage may be disposed in any desired 'position other than as shown.

Referring to the drawings, the improved switch assemblage comprises in general a frame having a base composed of upper and lower base plates 9, I0, respectively, the upper of which is provided with integral upwardly projecting end walls Il, I2, and the lower of which has integral upwardly extending side flanges I3 spaced from the opposite side edges of the end walls; a pair of laterally spaced fixed contact bars or supports I4, I5 mounted in the end walls Il, I2 and carrying the xed contacts I5; an oscillatory movable contact carrying spindle I1 journalled in the end walls II, I2 between the fixed contacts I6 and providing a support for a series of movable contacts I8, I9 which are cooperable with the fixed contacts I6; and a removable U- shaped cover 29 formed for cooperation with the end walls II, I2 and with the flanges I3 to completely enclose the switch mechanism.

The upper base plate 9 and the end walls II, I2 may be formed of a single piece of sheet metal, and the walls II, I2 may be retained in substantially parallel position by means of a top bar 2| rigidly connecting the upper ends thereof. The

upper and lower base plates 9, I0 may be firmly united by spot welding or otherwise; and the end walls II, I2 are provided with alined rectangular slots or openings 22, 23 respectively, all of which are of the same height, but of which the Fopenings 22 are somewhat wider than the openings 23. The end wall I I is also provided with openings 24 for the electrical conductors and with a journal opening for the reduced end of the spindle I1; and both of the end walls II, I2 are reenforced by outer plates 25 attached. thereto by bolts or screws 26. 'I'he spindle I1 is directly journalled in the end walls II, I2 and plates 25, and these plates are somewhat larger than the end walls II, I2.

'I'he lower contact bars or supports I4, I5 are formed of insulating material and are adapted to be mounted in the end walls I I, I2 of the main frame in the manner shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. Each of these bars or"supports I4, I5 may have uniform rectangular cross-sectional area substantially equal to that of the openings 23 in theend wall I2 but of slightly less width than the openings 22 in the opposite end wall I I. 'I'he contacts I6 are suspended from the bar supports I4, I5 by resilient conductor arms 21v secured in place by terminal bolts 28 some of which may be joined by a conductor plate 29, and to which the electrical conductors may be attached by means of nuts 30. After the fixed contacts have been attached to the supportsy I4, I5, the latter may beA assembled ln the frame walls I I, I2 byflrst inserting one end of each support I4, I5 through one of the larger openings 22 and by pushing or sliding the support through this opening suiilciently to permit swinging thereof into alinement with the corresponding opposite opening 23, as clearly indicated in Fig. 5. The alined end of the support I4, I5 may then be driven into the adjacent opening 23 as shown in Fig. 6, until it engages the outer plate 25, whereupon the oppos1te end of the bar will be ush with the outer surface of the end wall II. After both of the contact supports i4, I5 havebeen thus positioned in the openings 23, a retainer plate 3 I may be applied to the end wall I I and within the openings 22 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7', so as to finallylock the adjacent ends of both supports I4,

vI5 within the openings 22. When thus finally assembled, the supports I4, I5 will be disposed substantially parallel'to' each other and will be rigidly confined within the openings 22, 23 of both end walls I I, 12,' andthe reenforcing and sealing plate 25 may be finally applied to the end wall Il as shown.

The lower base plate I IJ may also be formed of sheet metal with the aid of punches and dies, and the flanges I3 thereof may be inclined outwardly as shown in Figs. 2 and,3 so as to facilitate application of the cover 20. The flanges I3 are spaced from the adjacent sides of the upper base plate 9 so as to form elongated recesses within which pliable sealing strips 32 formed of sponge rubber or the like, are confined. 'Ihe base plates 9, I0 may be provided with bolt holes 33 Yfor effecting attachment of the main frame to a suitable support, and the surface of the plate 9 adjacent to the fixed contact supports I4, I5 may be covered with a sheet 34 of asbestos or the like. The end wall stiffening bar 2| may also be covered with asbestos sheeting if so desired, and it will be observed that the frame assembly although being formed of sheet metal throughout, is exp sulating material such as bakelite. The end of the spindle I1 which coacts with the end wall II is turned to reduced cylindrical shape, and the opposite square end of this spindle is embraced by a bushing 31 having a circular boreas shown in Fig. 1. This bushing 31 is secured to spindle I1 by brazing 38, and is embraced by collars or bushings 39, 39 and a. cap'40, the latter being rigidly but detachably secured to the bushing 31 and spindle I1. by means of a set screw 4I and having a manipulating handle 42 attached thereto. In the particular type of switch shown, the handle 42 is adapted to be automatically returned to switch open position when the actuating pressure is released, by 'means of a coil spring 43 embracing the bushing 39 and having one end cooperable with a lug 44 secured to the end wall I2 while its opposite end reacts against a crank plate 45 embracing the square bakelite bushing 36 and coacting with the end of the bushing 31, 39. With such assemblage, the spring 43 will be tensioned when the switch is closed, and this embracing the inner insulating bushing 36, and

are properly positioned and spaced apart by means of outer bushings 46 which are also formed of insulating material and snugly embrace the single inner bushing 36. The end of the stock 35 remote from the bushing 31, is screwl threaded c for the reception o f a clamping nut 41 which clamps the contacts I8, I9 between the bushings 46 and the crank plate 45 against the bearing bushing 39.

The enclosing cover 20 may also be formed of sheet metal with the aid of punches and ldies, and is of U-shape so as to permit disposition thereof over the tops of the side walls II, I2 and in snug engagement with the inner surfaces of the outer plates 25. The opposite side portions 48 of the cover 20, are resiliently biased outwardly as shownv in Fig. 2, so that the extreme edges thereof must be sprung in position between the side flanges I3 .of the lower base plate I0 when the cover is assembled asl illustrated in Fig. 3.

. and 3. "The interior of the cover 20 between the sealing strips 49 may be lined with asbestos sheeting 5I or the like; and when the cover is finally applied to the frame assemblage, the sealing strips 49 are compressed against the edges of the en d walls II,. I2 and the side portions 48 are f forced against the sealing strips 32 so as to provide a dust and water-proof enclosure for the switch mechanism. l

When the improved switch assemblage has .been properly constructed as above described and connected into the electric circuit, the movable contacts I8, I9 may be readily swung into engagement with the corresponding normally fixed contacts I 6, by merely swinging the handle 42 so as to rotate the spindle I1. During such movement of the handle 42, thespring 43 will be placed under tension so that upon release of the handle 42, it will quickly return to vertical posi- =tion and will disengage the contacts I 8`, I9 from the fixed contacts I6. During oscillation of the movable contacts I8, I9 into position between the normally fixed `contacts I6, the resilient arms 21 will spread apart as shown in Fig. 4, thereby insuring tight closing of the switch.

As previously indicated, the switch assemblage vmay be mounted on a suitable support by the application of bolts to the openings 33, and these bolts should be provided with sealing washers so as to insure tight closing of the openings 33. 'I'he cover 20 may obviously be readily removed from the frame structure by merely releasing the clamping screws, and thereafter withdrawing the cover, and when the cover is thus removed, the side portions 48 thereof will spring outwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Removal of the cover 20 obviously permits free access to all portions ofthe switch mechanism. When the cover 20 is reapplied to the frame, the side portions 48 of the cover must be sprung into the position between the side anges `I3 of the base plate I0, and subsequent application of the screws 50 will force the pliable sealing strips 49 into firm engagement with the end walls I I, I2, and will simultaneously force the extreme lower edge portions of the cover 20' into snug engagement with the flanges I3 and with the sealing strips 32. It has been found that when the switch mechanism is thus concealed by proper application of the cover 20, a water-tight housing is provided and access of moisture to the contacts is absolutely prevented.

By virtue of the fact that the major portions of the assemblage are all adapted to be formed of sheet metal with the ald of punches and dies, the assemblage may obviously be constructed and sold at moderate cost. The improved method of inserting the fixed contact supports I4, I5 in the manner shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, obviously facilitates assembly and produces a durable final structure whereinthe fixed contacts are firmly supported. The, single retainerplate 3| finally confines both'of the supports I4, II in proper position relative to the end walls I I, I2, and this plate 3| may obviously be quickly applied, or removed if necessary. The improved construction of the spindle I1 which carries the movable contacts I9, I9, is also of importance since it provides a spindle structure which can be manufactured from standard stock and with minimum machining. The square stock 35 effectively supports the bushings 36, 46 of vthe movable convtacts'l, I9, and prevents possible rotation thereof relative to the spindle. The formation of the bushings 31, 39 and of the cap 40, and the assemblage of these elements as shown and described, provides a durable manipulating connection between the handle 42 and the spindle I1. As previously indicated, the use of the spring 43 for automatically returning the spindle I1 to switch open position, is not essential, since some of these switches are formed so that when the switch is closed, it will remain closed until opened. This particular automatic return therefore is not an important feature of the present invention, although the bushings 4'6 and the clamping nut 41 provide simple and efficient means for clamping the crank plate 45 in position as well as functioning to space the contacts I8, I9 and to clamp these in position. The entire assemblage has proven highly successful in actual commercial use, and besides being readily manipulable and readily accessible for inspection, this assemblage may be manufactured at minimum cost and is extremely durable in construction.

It should be understood that it is not desired, lto limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

We claim:-n

1. A housing for switch mechanismv or the like, comprising, a frame having a base and side flanges and end walls formed integral with the base, said fianges and walls all extending in the same direction away from said base and the latter being disposed between the former, mechanism associated with said frame between said flanges and walls, a cover applicable to said frame over the edges of said end walls and having resilient opposite side portions biased outwardly for snug coaction with the internal surfaces of said flanges, a sealing strip secured within each end of said cover and being compressible against the entire edge of the adjacent end wall when said cover is applied to said frame, and a sealing strip secured to said base in contact with the inner side of each of said flanges, all of said strips being inter-engageable to provide an uninterrupted seal and said cover side portions being formed to compress said base supported sealing strips when said cover is applied to said frame to enclose said mechanism.

2. A housing for switch mechanism or the like, comprising, a frame having a. base and side flanges and end walls formed integral with the base, said flanges and walls all extending in the same direction away from said base and the latter having through openings therein, mechanism mounted in said openings and being disposed between said fianges and walls, an outer plate secured to each of said end walls and covering the mechanism supporting openings therein, a cover applicable to said frame over the edges of said end walls and between said outer plates and having side portions cooperable with the inner surfaces of said flanges, a sealing strip secured within each end of said cover and being compressible against the entire edge of the adjacent end wall when said cover is applied to said frame, and a sealing strip secured to said base in contact with the inner side of each .of said flanges and extending from one of said plates to the other, all of said strips being inter-engageable to provide an uninterrupted seal and said cover side portions being formed to compress said base supported sealing strips when said cover is applied to said frame to enclose said mechanism.

3. A housing for switch mechanism or the like, comprising, a frame having a base and side flanges and end walls formed integral with the base, said flanges and Walls all extending in the same direction away from said base and the latter being disposed between the former and having alined through openings therein, mechanism mounted in said openings and being disposed be tween said iianges and walls, an outer plate secured to each of said end walls and covering the mechanism supporting openings therein and projecting outwardly beyond the edges of the adjoining Wall, a cover applicable to said frame over the edges of said end walls and between said out-- er plates and having resilient opposite side portions biased outwardly for snug coaction with the internal surfaces of said flanges, a sealing strip secured within each end of said cover and being engageable with the adjacent outer plate and compressible against the entire edge of the adjacent end wall when said cover is applied to said frame, and a sealing strip secured to said base in contact with the inner side of each of said anges and extending from one of said plates to the other, all of said strips being inter-engageable to provide an uninterrupted seal and said cover side portions being formed to compress said base supported sealing strip when said cover is applied to said frame to enclose said mechanism.

WILLIAM C. FURNAS. SIGURD R. THOMPSON. 

